Newbie needs help! Depressurizing hydraulic lines for grapple attachment

[bobrich]

Hi Folks, My weekend warrior has been stopped by my inability to attach the hydraulic lines from a grapple bucket to the connections on my loader. The loader is, i believe, a Bobcat T-140 or T-190 (rental), and the connectors are _extremely_ stiff. I was able to get the loader-side male connector on, but it took a few minutes of bouncing off of pressure in the hose, leaking a few drops of oil, waiting, etc until finally it latched (right as my lower abdomen unlatched i think). However, the loader-side female connector is locked up tight. I can't get it to budge more than _maybe_ a 1/16th of an inch if i hit it hard. I tried just tapping the controls with the one side attached, but that seems to set of some kind of disconnect in the motor. So, anyway, any ideas? It seems like at least one side needs depressurized, but i don't know how to do it. Thanks!!! Bob

 

[bobrich]

Quick correction, looks to be a Deere CT322

 

[Tazza]

Quick correction, looks to be a Deere CT322

On some machines turning the key to the left releases pressure on the aux lines, but not sure if it works on your machine though.
Only other way is to crack the fitting, use a wrench and un-do it to release pressure then it will connect to the grapple.

 

[bobrich]

On some machines turning the key to the left releases pressure on the aux lines, but not sure if it works on your machine though.
Only other way is to crack the fitting, use a wrench and un-do it to release pressure then it will connect to the grapple.

Thanks Tazza. Turns out the equipment was just hot from sitting in the sun and i guess it makes the fluid expand. I went back out after it spent 20 minutes in the shade and the connectors popped on like butter. (The mechanic made your same recommendation about cracking a fitting.) Turns out i now have bigger problems. While turning in some soft soil i apparently popped the track off 'half way'. It's not been a good weekend. :/

 

[siduramaxde]

Thanks Tazza. Turns out the equipment was just hot from sitting in the sun and i guess it makes the fluid expand. I went back out after it spent 20 minutes in the shade and the connectors popped on like butter. (The mechanic made your same recommendation about cracking a fitting.) Turns out i now have bigger problems. While turning in some soft soil i apparently popped the track off 'half way'. It's not been a good weekend. :/

This is exactly why "weekend warriors" should hire work out. I would imagine an expierenced operator could have done the job for less money than you paid for the rental.

 

[bobrich]

This is exactly why "weekend warriors" should hire work out. I would imagine an expierenced operator could have done the job for less money than you paid for the rental.

No way! What self-respecting guy could sit on the front porch sipping tea while some dude flexes his attachment all over the front yard. You guys have been doing this so long you forget its F-U-N...especially for nerds like me that get stuck behind a keyboard all week. I got a free lessons in track mounting, how _not_ to dismount a skidsteer, and a short but valuable lesson in the finer points of using a landscape rake...not to mention some quality seat time with my girls at the controls (safely!) and a little sense of accomplishment to boot. It all turned out for the good, SunBelt was _top_notch_ in their holiday-weekend support and we got a TON of work done at a net of $55/hr. Now if i just remember to fill it up next time before i return it ($7/gal!)

 

[Tazza]

No way! What self-respecting guy could sit on the front porch sipping tea while some dude flexes his attachment all over the front yard. You guys have been doing this so long you forget its F-U-N...especially for nerds like me that get stuck behind a keyboard all week. I got a free lessons in track mounting, how _not_ to dismount a skidsteer, and a short but valuable lesson in the finer points of using a landscape rake...not to mention some quality seat time with my girls at the controls (safely!) and a little sense of accomplishment to boot. It all turned out for the good, SunBelt was _top_notch_ in their holiday-weekend support and we got a TON of work done at a net of $55/hr. Now if i just remember to fill it up next time before i return it ($7/gal!)

I have to agree, the *fun* aspect of it sure does count.
You may have got more work done quicker by a profesional operator but you no doubt paid about the same in the end.

 

[Jeffscarstrucks]

I have to agree, the *fun* aspect of it sure does count.
You may have got more work done quicker by a profesional operator but you no doubt paid about the same in the end.

I have to go with bobrich and Tazza, How many idiots in this world are sitting around with out a clue as to how work gets done or how to do it. If more people did things for themselves maybe the video game generation would have some common knowledge as to how the world works. I for one am happy to be a weekend warrior with more equipment than I need and my boys can run it and work a good day every day. This is a topic that can really get me cranked up. I am putting brakes on a 1950 Cat 212 grader right now and it is whipping my rear...maybe I could stay in and watch TV! ACMOC.org is a good resource for anyone who needs it. Rant over...Thanks to all who work, JEFF

 

[sterlclan]

I have to go with bobrich and Tazza, How many idiots in this world are sitting around with out a clue as to how work gets done or how to do it. If more people did things for themselves maybe the video game generation would have some common knowledge as to how the world works. I for one am happy to be a weekend warrior with more equipment than I need and my boys can run it and work a good day every day. This is a topic that can really get me cranked up. I am putting brakes on a 1950 Cat 212 grader right now and it is whipping my rear...maybe I could stay in and watch TV! ACMOC.org is a good resource for anyone who needs it. Rant over...Thanks to all who work, JEFF

the ONLY difference between me and my boy is the size of our toys......can you say sand box????as long as no one gets hurt by all means play away remember thats how we all started and jeff whip back be smarter than the machine good luck...........Jeff

 

[thetool]

the ONLY difference between me and my boy is the size of our toys......can you say sand box????as long as no one gets hurt by all means play away remember thats how we all started and jeff whip back be smarter than the machine good luck...........Jeff

LOL "some dude flexing his attachment all over the front yard"......=)